There’s something incredibly comforting about waking up to a warm, cinnamon-kissed breakfast baked to perfection. This Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe is my go-to when I want that cozy feeling without the fuss of flipping individual slices. It’s simple, delightful, and perfect for a weekend morning that feels a little extra special.

A white plate with a slice of golden-brown baked French toast, topped with bright red raspberries, deep blue blueberries, and light beige sliced almonds. A drizzle of golden syrup is being poured over the top from a glass jar held by a woman's hand above. Around the toast on the plate are scattered almonds, blueberries, and a few strawberries, one sliced in half showing its red inside. A silver fork rests on the left side of the plate. The background is a soft white marbled texture, with a white cloth draped nearby and a bottle of vanilla bean syrup blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely adore this gluten-free casserole because it takes the best parts of classic French toast and turns them into a make-ahead dish that feels like a hug on a plate. Trust me, once you make it, breakfasts won't be the same.

Make-Ahead Wonder: Prep it the night before, and wake up to a breakfast that practically makes itself.
Comfort Food, Gluten-Free: Finally, a French toast recipe that everyone can enjoy, no matter their diet.
Simple Ingredients: No complicated stuff—just pantry staples and gluten-free bread.
Customizable Toppings: From fresh berries to toasted nuts, it’s easy to make this your own.

A white plate with a black rim holds a square stack of cut, golden brown bread pieces dusted with powdered sugar, topped with red raspberries, blue blueberries, sliced almonds, and halved strawberries arranged around the stack. A fork with a piece of the bread stack on it rests on the plate's edge. There is amber syrup drizzling over the bread and berries, with more blueberries and almond slices scattered on the white marbled surface underneath. In the background, there is a white rectangular dish filled with more bread pieces topped with powdered sugar and a small white bowl with sliced almonds. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating that perfectly creamy, custardy inside with just the right golden top. Plus, I’ll share a few tips on picking the best gluten-free bread and other secret hacks.

Flat lay of a small pile of dry gluten-free bread cubes, five large brown eggs with clean shells, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with creamy almond milk, a small white bowl with golden pure maple syrup, a pat of melted butter in a white bowl, a small white bowl containing warm brown ground cinnamon powder, a tiny white bowl with fine white salt crystals, and a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced spacing, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Gluten-Free Bread: Make sure it’s dry or slightly stale to soak up the custard without turning into mush. I personally love a sturdy loaf for this.
Eggs: They build the custard base and add richness.
Milk (or Dairy-Free Milk): I often use unsweetened almond milk—it’s light but creamy enough to keep everything tender.
Pure Maple Syrup: Adds natural sweetness and depth; you can swap with brown sugar but maple is my fave.
Butter or Vegan Butter: Melted, it adds that buttery aroma and helps with browning.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warm, cozy flavors to the mix.
Ground Cinnamon: The essential spice that makes French toast feel like a treat.
Salt: Just a pinch—it balances the sweet perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to make it uniquely yours. I've tried lots of little twists and they always turn out delicious.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in fall, which adds this cozy warmth that’s perfect for chilly mornings.
Dairy-Free Swap: Using almond or oat milk with vegan butter keeps it allergy-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
Fruit Boost: Adding sliced apples or berries right into the casserole before baking is such a treat—I recommend giving it a try!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Bread

Start by cubing your gluten-free bread into about 1-inch pieces. I like to spread them out on a baking sheet and let them air out if they’re fresh. If your bread isn’t stale, pop it in a low 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes—it dries it out perfectly without toasting. This step is key because dry bread soaks up the custard without turning soggy later.

Step 2: Mix the Custard

Whisk together your eggs, milk (I'm a fan of almond milk here), maple syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Make sure everything is well combined so every cube of bread gets soaked in flavor.

Step 3: Assemble and Soak

Place the bread cubes in a greased casserole dish, then pour your custard mixture evenly over them. Give the dish a gentle shake to help the custard settle around the bread. Cover it with foil and pop it in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours). This overnight soak is where the magic happens—try not to skip it!

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Remove the casserole from the fridge about 30 minutes before baking to let it come to room temp. Bake covered at 350°F for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is golden and crispy but the inside remains soft and custardy.

Top Tip

From my years of making this Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe, a few little tricks make all the difference. I want to share these so your breakfast turns out just right every time.

Choose the Right Bread: Stale or dried gluten-free bread soaks up custard beautifully without getting mushy, trust me on this!
Don’t Skip the Soak: The overnight soak lets the flavors meld and the bread soften into perfectly custardy bites.
Room Temperature Start: Let the casserole sit out briefly before baking to avoid uneven cooking.
Watch Your Bake Time: Removing the foil halfway prevents the top from steaming and keeps it beautifully golden and crisp.

How to Serve Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe

gluten free french toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m all about simple, fresh toppings: a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a handful of fresh berries really brighten this dish. Sometimes I toast a few pecans or almonds on the side for a little crunch—totally optional but highly delicious.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs so nicely with a fresh fruit salad or even a light green smoothie for a balanced breakfast. On weekends, I like to throw some crispy bacon or sausage on the plate for a savory contrast that makes everyone happy.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunches, I sometimes bake this casserole in individual ramekins—makes for a charming presentation and easy serving. You could even add a swirl of homemade whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar just before serving for an extra special touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I tightly cover leftovers with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. They keep well for up to 3 days, though I rarely find leftovers because who can resist!

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions before with success. Just wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheating is best done in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes to restore the crispy top and warm through gently. A microwave works in a pinch but might make it a bit soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh gluten-free bread or does it have to be stale?

For the best texture, I recommend using dry or slightly stale gluten-free bread. Fresh bread can absorb too much custard and become soggy. If you don’t have stale bread on hand, drying fresh bread in the oven at a low temperature for 10-15 minutes works wonders.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! You can easily make this Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe dairy-free by using a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and swapping butter for vegan butter. I use almond milk often and love the result.

How long can I refrigerate the assembled casserole before baking?

Ideally, you want to refrigerate the assembled casserole overnight for at least 4 hours. This soaking time lets the custard fully soak into the bread cubes, creating that perfect, custardy texture.

Can I add fruit or nuts to the casserole?

Absolutely! Adding fresh or frozen berries, sliced apples, or toasted nuts right before baking adds great texture and flavor. Just fold them gently into the bread cubes before pouring on the custard.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole Recipe has been such a rewarding find for me—it's straightforward, versatile, and just feels like an extra bit of love first thing in the morning. I hope trying it brings you as much comfort and joy around the breakfast table as it does for me. Give it a go, and trust me, you’ll have a new favorite on your hands.